By the Rev. C. Collier, M.A., F.S.A. 



311 



dragoons to make good his retreat. But the King's van charged, 

 and routed them with good execution, and pursued them through 

 the town, and slew many of them in the rear, until the darkness of 

 the night secured them, and hindered the others from following 

 farther. But they were all scattered, and came not quickly together 

 again ; and the King quartered that night at Andover/'' I do not 

 know of any signs of earthworks thrown up by either party round 

 or near the town. This was a mere sharp skirmish when the troops 

 were on the move. 



The unfortunate James II. visited Andover. "We read in Maeaulay 

 an account of the retreat of the royal army from Salisbury : — " James 

 went that day as far as Andover. He was attended by his son-in- 

 law, Prince George, and by the Duke of Ormond. Prince George 

 and Ormond were invited to sup with the King. The meal must 

 have been a sad one. The King was overwhelmed by his misfortunes. 

 His son-in-law was the dullest of companions. ' I have tried Prince 

 George sober/ said Charles II., 'and I have tried him drunk, and, 

 drunk or sober, there is nothing in him/ At length the repast 

 terminated. The King retired to rest. Horses were in waiting for 

 the Prince and Ormond, who, as soon as they had left the table, 

 mounted and rode away from Andover/ 7 James lodged at the Priory- 

 House, then the property of the Pollens. 



Wilkes tells us of other worthies who passed through or stayed 

 for a short time in our town. Through Andover passed Sir Walter 

 Raleigh, when he was taken to London. In the account of the 

 journey we read "Raleigh went on his journey to Andover, and so 

 to Hertford Bridge, and thence to Staines." 



Charles II. stayed at the White Hart, Andover, on October 16th, 

 1644. 



We have no evidence as to the date when the first place 

 of worship for the Nonconformists was built in Andover. Two 

 cottages, situated in S oper's Lane, were formerly pointed out as 

 having once formed part of an old Presbyterian place of worship. 

 The Rev. S. Sprint, of Trinity College, Cambridge, is thought to- 

 have been the first pastor of the body. He was a friend of Dr. 

 Barrow, and was at one time master of the Newbury Grammar School. 



